Behavior and stress of orthotropic deck with bulb rib by surface corrosion

Abstract In this study, the structural responses and deck stress distributions of an orthotropic steel deck stiffened with bulb ribs were numerically examined in relation to the corrosion damage and corroded condition of the deck plate. Three-dimensional FE analysis models were used to consider the details of the orthotropic steel deck stiffened with bulb ribs. The deck thickness condition and elastic modulus of the asphalt pavement were changed. In particular, to confirm the effect of an irregular, corroded surface on the change in the principal stress level, five real corroded surfaces were obtained from an actual corroded orthotropic steel bridge deck stiffened with bulb ribs. The deformation behaviors of the orthotropic steel deck stiffened with bulb ribs were examined, including the displacement and rotation angle relationships, in relation to the corrosion damage of the deck plate and the elastic modulus of the asphalt pavement. The changes in the stress at fatigue crack initiation locations were also compared to evaluate the effect of the corrosion damage on the fatigue crack initiation of a bridge deck. Additionally, the maximum principal stresses on the irregular corroded surface were examined to determine the possibility of fatigue cracks on the corroded surface of an orthotropic steel deck stiffened with bulb ribs.